Capacitor motor



Aug. 13, 1935. R. c, sPRAGuE CAPACITOR MOTOR Filed April 11. 193s ROBERI C. SPRAGUL ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 13, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application April 11, 1933, Serial N0. 665,615

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to capacitor motors and more particularly to novel circuit arrangements and switching means which provide for a more economical manufacture of such motors and improve the motor characteristics.

Capacitor motors are used to a considerable extent in the case of small horse-power motors, and in many applications have well-known advantages over repulsion-induction or split-phase motors used for similar purposes.

As a rule such capacitor motors are provided with two windings and one or more condensers are used for the starting of the motor, as well as during the operation of the motor. A wellknown arrangement is, for instance, the one shown in Figure 5 of U. S. Patent to Bailey No.

1,707,424, according to which a large capacity condenser is connected across the motor windings for the starting of the motor and a smaller capacity condenser is connected across the motor during the normal operation.

As the starting condenser remains in the circuit only for a very short time interval, it merely needs tobe dimensioned for intermediate use. Therefore it has already been suggested to' use for the starting condenser, electrolytic condensers which will stand up in intermittent use, the characteristics of which, however, would make them unsuited for lcontinuous use under the prevalent conditions.

My invention has for its objecta still nere economic utilization of the condensers. Accarding to my invention all of the condensers, including those required for continuous operation, are only used for light duty and can be electrolytic condensers.

In addition the condensers are so designed, the constants of the .circuit so selected, and the circuit changes from starting to running so organized, that the duty of the condensers is substantially the same for starting as for running conditions. In view of this, as will be more fully explained later on, the condensers are in no case over-dimensioned and are utilized in the most economical way.

The invention will be illustrated with respect to a preferred arrangement but is not limited to such. According to the arrangement to be described three condensers are provided which, for

the starting of the motor, are all connected in parallel and acrossfthe windings of the stator, and two of which are series combination and across said windings when the motor has reached, or is about to reach, its normal running speed, and remain so connected automatically connected Iin while the motor is running. 'I'he third condenser used in starting is altogether disconnected when the motor is running.

The various advantages obtained with my invention will bemore fully discussed later on.

In the drawing forming part'of the specification:

Figure 1 is va schematic diagram showing an embodiment of my invention in which three condensers are provided, all of which are connected in parallel and across the motor windingsfo'r the starting of the motor, the figure showing the circuits as established'for the starting of the motor.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the circuit arrangement of, Fig. 1 for running conditions, whereby two of the condensers are connected in series and across the motor windings and the third condenser is disconnected.

Fig. 3 is a modified arrangement of my invention', showing the circuit connections for the starting of the motor.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram corresponding to the'arrangement of Fig. 3 showing the circuit connections while the motor is running.

Fig. 5 is a perspective diagrammatic 4view of a speed governor operated switch arrangement, to b e used in connection with 'the circuits of Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the conductors 3 and l represent the alternating current supply to which the stator is connected. The two windings I and 2 of the stator winding of the motor are interconnected with one of their ends and this common point is connected to the conductor 3. Theiree terminal 5 of the winding I is connected to the other supply conductor I. The rotor of the motor is not shown.

Three condensers C1, Cz and C: are provided, all three being preferably electrolytic condensers, which in view of their inherent characteristics and dimensions would not be adapted to stand in continuous' operation the voltage existing across the terminals Sand 1 while the motor is running, but which are well adapted to stand the voltage existing across these terminals during the starting of the motor and for the short-time intervals required to start the motor.

For starting the motor the three condensers C1, C2 and C3 are connected in parallel and across terminals 5 and 1, this condition being shown in Fig. 1, whereas when the motor is running, the condensers C1 and C2 are connected in series and their series combination connected across lis gives the desired capacity across the windings while the motor is running. The capacity of the condenser C: is then so selected-that the capacity resulting from the parallel connection of the three condensers; i. e. C1+C2+Ca, gives the propervalue of the capacity required for the starting of the motor.

Thus, for instance, if a starting capacity of 40 microfarads and a running capacity of Il microfarads is required, each of the condensers C1'and C2 may have a capacity of 8 microfarads and the condenserCa would then have a capacity of 24 microfarads.

To change the circuit connections from those required for starting to those required for running, I provide a switch, preferably ofthe centrifugal type, having three switchmembers S1, S2 and S3. The general construction and operation of such centrifugal' switches being wellknown, illustration ot its construction is not deemed necessary. It should be merely mentioned that when the motor attains a speed close to its normal running; speed, the centrifugal action of the switch causesA the switch-members Si, S2 and S3 to change their-position from that shown in Fig. 1 to that shown' in Fig'. 2.

The switchrS1 has its heel 8 in permanent elecrical connection with the terminal a1 of the condenser Ci and with its free end either contacts with a contact 9 or with a contact it; For starting the motor, as shown in Fig;v 1, the switch member Sicontacts with the contact 9.

The switch member Sz has its heel il in permal nent electrical connectionwith the terminal b1 For starting, the free .end s of the condenser C1. of switch member S2 contacts withv the contact l2, which in its turn is connected to the terminal 'i of the winding 2. When. the motor is running the switch member S2 is open.

The switch member S3 has its heel i3 in permanent electrical connection with theterminal ibs of condenser Cs. For the starting-of the motor this switch member contacts with the contact i5, which in its turn is connected to heel il. When the motoris running the switch member vS3 is open.

As appears from Figure l, for thestarting of the motor (and while it is at standstill) the three condensers C1,. C2 and C3 are all connected in parallel and across the terminals 5 and l of the windings l and 2 respectively.' The circuit .for the condenser. C1 goes from terminal 5, through contact 9, closed switch member S1, condenser C1, through closedswitch member S2; contact l2 toterminal i7.'

The circuit for condenser C2 goes from terminal 5, through condenser Cz, through` closed switch member- S2 to terminal t.

The circuit for condenser Ca goes from. terminal 5 through condenser Ca, through closed switch members S3 and S2 to terminal l.

When the motor is running', as shown in Fig. 2,

switch member S1 contacts with contact l0, while switch members'Sz Vand S: are open. The condensers C1 and C2 are thereby connected in series and across terminals 5 and 'Land their circuit is.

as follows: ,from terminal 5,- throughcondensen ygovernor can be used -for 4switch member Se is open. The terminal a1 of condenser C1, the terminal a3 of condenser C3 and the contact 23 are in perallel and across the terminals 5 and 1.

t Cz, condenser C1, switch member S1, contact I0, conductor vi4 Vto terminal 1.

denser C3 isinterrupted at the open switch mem- The circuit of conber S3.

A switch arrangement to be used for the circuit arrangements o f Figs. 1 and 2 is shown in Fig. 5. 35 represents a centrifugal type governor operated bythe motor shaft and provided with a. disc 34, the vertical displacement of said disc being f dependent upon the motor speed. The-operation of -such a'device is well known.

The switches S1, Sz and S3 form part of pivoted angle arms 4i, 42 and 4 3, the switches being insulated at 414 from the rest of the arms.

The arms are held against the plate by springs 8, il and I3, respectively, which also serve as corresponding electrical connections to the contact pieces.

In Fig. 5 the device is shown at rest'pr rotating .A

below the predetermined speed which will cause the plateto move the arms S1, S2 and Sa I n' this position the switches S1, S2 and S3 assume the position shown nects 8 tovS, S2 connects il to l2, and S3 con.

in Fig. 1, whereby S`1`connects l3.to'l5.

When the governor rotates above the predetermined speed, disc 34 ,depresses arms Si, S2

and Sa, which presses the switch arms inwardly 1 in positions-corresponding to Fig. 2, whereby switch S1 disconnects 8 from 9 and connects it to i0, and switches S2 and S3 are opened.

It can .be readily seen that by a simple re'- arrangement `of the contacts of Fig. 5, the an arrangement as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

' Figs. 3 and 4 show an arrangement in which the same results are obtained as in the arrangement of Figs. l and 2 in a somewhat diierent way.' The switch again consists of three switch members'S1,

S 5 and Ss.- The heel 20 of the switch member S4 is in permanent electrical connection with the terof the condenser C1, and for the starting of the motor the switch member S4 contacts with acontact 22, and when the motor is running at-its normal speed, the switch member contacts with a contact 26.

yThe switch member S-5 is permanently connected with its heel 2i to the terminal a2 of condenser Cz. For" the starting of vthe motor the switch member S5 contacts with a contact 23 and when the motor is running .at normal speed' this switch member contacts with a contact 27.

` The contacts'26 and 21 tact; however, for the shown as separate contacts which are'interconnected by a conductor 2B. y

The switchSr with its heel 30 is'in permanent electrical .connection with the terminal b3 of condenser Ca. -While the motor is starting the' switch may form a single conmember S-t is closed and contacts with a contact the motor .the

3i, while in normal operationof manent electrical connection with the terminal 5;

and the terminal b2 of condenser C2, and the c onsake of clarity they are In Fig. 3 the connections are shown as established while the motor is at a standstill and d uring its starting, and it will be thus seen that the condensers C1,.C2 and-Czare connected through condenser C1 through switch member S4, contact 22, conductor 25 to terminal 1.

Illl'he circuit for condenser C2 can be traced as follows: from terminal 5, conductor 24, contact 23, switch members S-5, condenser Cz to terminal 1.

The circuit of condenser Ca can be traced as follows: from terminal 5, condenser C3, switch member Se, contact 3l to terminal 1.

When the motor is running at normal speed the circuits are established as shown in Fig. '4, Whereby the series-connected condensers C1, and Cz are connected across the terminals 5 and 1, and the condenser C3 is disconnected. The circuit of condensers Ci and Cz can be traced as follows: terminal 5, condenser C1, switch member S4, contact 26, conductor 28, contact 21, switch member S5, condenser C2, terminal 1.

- The advantages obtained with my invention will appear from the following considerations:

- In the usual type of capacitor motors the starting condenser is greatly in excess of the condenser used in the normal running of the motor, the ratio between the two condensers being of the order of l0 to I and even higher.

As has been already stated, the condenser which is only used for the starting of the motor, being subjected to intermittent service only, can be either a comparatively inexpensive type of. paper condenser, for instance, a paraffin impregnated two-paper layer container, or preferably an electrolytic condenser.

On the other hand, the running condenser needs to be dimensioned for continuous operation, and in past practice condensers of comparatively expensive construction, for instance, oil impregf nated paper condensers havingthree or more paper layers have been used for this purpose.

As is well known, the electrolytic condensers used with capacity motors comprise two electrodes of film-forming material, for instance, aluminum,

, which are provided with an electrolytically formed film. 'I'he electrolyte may be liquid, but the condensers used for capacity motors are preferably of the dry type in which the `electrolyte is of pasty constituency. The electrolyte as a rule comprises a weak acid, for instance, boric acid, phosphoric acid, etc. preferably in combination with a salt of a weak acid for example ammoniumborate, borax, etc. The electrolyte also comprises an ionizing solvent, for instance, a polyhydric alcohol and some water. The paste-like electrolyte is interposed ,between the lmed electrodes, preferably being carried by a suitable spacer, and

the electrodes with the interposed electrolyte are wound into a roll which is suitably encased and protected against moisture.

Electrolyticcondensers used in alternating current circuits in view of their comparatively high power factor and other inherent characteristics, at the present state of their development, are not well suited to stand in continuous operation voltages exceeding about 200 volts, and can be most economically made for operating voltages of about to 120 volts. The voltages which the running condensers of capacitor motors have to stand are generally in excess of the latter values.

However, electroyltic condensers -have various advantages over paper condensers. One of the important advantages is the much lower cost of electrolytic condensers compared with paper condensers, and especially with high-grade paper condensers as had to be used as the running condensers of capacitor motors.

A further advantage of electrolytic condensers is that due to their self-healing properties their breakdown voltage, whereas in the case of paper condensers in the absence of such properties a large safety factor is required; i. e. the breakdown voltage has to be greatly in excess of the operating voltage; for instance, an electrolytic condenser which has a breakdown voltage of 150 volts can safely operate up to voltages of 125 volts and even higher, vwhereas to safely operate at 125 volts paper condensers, there is required a breakdown voltage of 400 volts or even more.

In view of the above great economic advantages are obtained by my invention; for instance, in the case of a 1/6 H. P. capacitor motor of a given construction, the capacitive load for starting is 500 Voltamperes, and the capacitive load fer running is 200 lvoltamperes. Under the given conditions this can be obtained by using microfarads for starting and l0 microfarads for running. By using a l0 microfarad paper condenser for running,'a 115 or 105 microfarad electrolytic condenser would be used for starting (the smaller value incase the paper condenser is Iconnected in parallel with the electrolytlic condenser for the starting of the motor).

On the other hand, according to the invention the running condenser is made up of two electrolytic condensers of 20 microfarads each connected in series'. These two condensers connected in parallel with each other and with a third electrolytic condenser of 75 microfarads, make up the starting condenser of 115 microfarads.

The cost of the two electrolytic condensers of 20 mcrofarads each is only about one-half of that ofthe l0 microfarad heavy-duty paper condenser which they replace, and besides there is a saving of 30 (or 40) microfarads on the starting condenser.

in which three condensers are connected in parallel for the starting of the motor, two of which are connected in series for runningthe motor and the third condenser disconnected, but other similar combinationsmay be used; for instance, only two condensers may be used which are connected in parallel for starting the motor and -connected in series'for running the motor. Or again, three .condensers may be used which are connected in parallel for starting the motor and all three of whichare connected in series for running the motor. V

However, under most conditlonslthe provision of three condensers, all three of which are connected in lparallel for starting and only two of which are connected in series for running, gives the best results as it permits the condensers to be subjected to substantially the same voltage conditions during both the starting and the running of the motor.

This will more clearly appear when further considering the aboveA example. Although the capacitive loads. are connected to the same terminals 5 and 1 ofthe windings both during the starting and the running of the motor, the voltages which are appliedv to these loads are not the same in starting as in running.

` As appears, the impedance of the capacitive load at starting is much smaller than the impedance of the capacitive load in running and due to this, as well Vas to other conditions existing in the motor, the voltage across the capacitive load will have a lower value in starting, than in running. For instance, with an inductance 'of apparallel and two in best and most economical arrangement.

' condensers C-I and C--Z during running is-230- volts, 115 volts being applied to each condenser. Thus in this case the voltage applied to the condensers is substantially the same under starting and running conditions.

Under similar conditions if two condensers only are used which are in parallel for starting the motor andin series for running the motor, without using a thirdstarting condenser, under the most favorable conditions the voltage across the condenser for starting will be 148 volts, whereas in running the voltage applied to the series combination will be 187 volts, with 93.5 volts applied to each of the condensers. Thus it will be seen that not only is the voltage applied to the condensers in starting considerably higher than in the former case, but in running the voltage applied to the individual condensers is only about of the value of the voltage applied in starting.

If three condensers are" used, all three of-which areconnected in parallel for starting, and all three connected in series for running, under most favorable conditions, the voltage applied to the condensers in starting will be again 110 volts, but

the voltage applied in running to the series combination of the three condensers will be 200 volts Awith only about 66 volts applied to ual condensers. Thus in running only about of the permissible voltage is applied to the condensers.

Thus it will appear that for the reasons given above the combination of three condensers in series gives in general the It should be noted that the electrolytic condensers which are to be used in series combination, should preferably be Voi such character that their equivalent series-'resistance decrease rather than increase with the temperature.

. A further advantageof my invention is due to the fact that the `cost of the condensers forms a considerable portion of the cost of the capacitor motors, and there has been in prior practice a tendency to economize in the size of condensers used, whereby a compromise was reached which did not provide for the best operating characteristics of the motor. Because, when using my invention the cost of the condenser forms a much smaller portion of the cost of the capacity motors, it ispossible to use suiciently high capacities to obtain the best operating characteristics of the motor.

The ahoveadvantageis made possible also by motor.

.the ndividthe simple and, convenient automatic switching arrangement provided for the motor.

While I have described my invention in connection with specific embodiments and in specic arrangements, I do not wish to be limited to such, as various deviations from my invention may suggest themselves. I wish, thereforepthe appended claims to -be construed as broadly as permissible in view of the prior art.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination of an induction motor having a winding, three electrolytic condensers and means including a switch assembly t'o connect;

said condensers in parallel and across said winding for the starting of the motor, and to connect a series-combination of only two of said con- ,densers across said Winding when the motor is running at its normal speed.

2. An induction motor comprising two windings connected together'at one of their ends, a source of alternating current connected to the ends of one of said windings, and three electrolytic condensers, and. means to connect the condensers in multiple and across the ends of said windings not connected together for the starting ofthe motor, and to connect only two of said condensers in series and across said last mentioned ends for the normal operation of the 3. A circuit arrangement comprising an induction motor and a winding. therefor, three electrolytic condensers and means to connect said condensers in multiple and across said winding for the starting of themotor, and to connect only' two of said condensers in series across said winding while the motor is running at its normal operatingspeed, said means comprising a switch having three switching members which, are actuated simultaneously by centrifugal force when the motor approaches its normal speed. 4. A- circuit arrangement comprising an induction motor and a winding therefor, three condensers and three switch members, said three switch members being actuated together by centrifugal force when the motor approaches its norsaid third switch member connecting the third condenser in multiple with the first two condensers before being actuated by said force and disconnecting said third condenser after being actuated thereby.

ROBERT C. SPRAGUE. 

